Running My Portfolio Through the Ringer
by Dylan Wright, recipient of The Stage Technology-John Mullen Scholarship
I am honored to have received the StageTechnology-John Mullen Scholarship, sponsored by Niles Sayre of Stage Technology, Inc. this year. My thanks to Mr Sayer for his generous support and the selection committee for affording me this opportunity. In enabling me to attend USITT, the scholarship allowed me to take full advantage of the many offerings for students at USITT.
In view of my pending graduation from Hamline University in St. Paul, I am currently focused on moving out into the world of freelancing both as a lighting designer and as a technician. In light of this, the resume building session was particularly helpful, allowing me to speak with five different production managers about my resume and ways to improve it. It now looks drastically different than it did before the conference. I was also able to take advantage of the portfolio reviews offered, running my portfolio through the ringer. It was very helpful to hear both the positive feedback and the constructive criticism, and encouraging to be told that I am developing a solid body of work.
As I plan on returning to school to earn an MFA in a few years, I also spent a great deal of time talking with graduate schools. One helpful professor even sat down and walked through my entire portfolio, telling me exactly what I needed to work on if I wanted to enter his program. Others offered less extensive, though still helpful advice, helping me frame my thoughts about what I want out of a program and what I need to do in order to realize those goals.
As an individual soon to be a full-time young professional working in theatre, I am excited about the growing focus on this demographic, from both the broader organization and our specific chapter. My hope is that USITT will be able to support and encourage these young professionals with the same enthusiasm that it supports students.